The EU will fund the purchase of Polish short-range air defense systems by four countries.

The European Union will finance a joint purchase of the Piorun mobile short-range air defense systems by Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, and Norway.

This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine, citing the press service of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.

"Lithuania, together with Poland, Estonia, and Norway, has signed an important memorandum of understanding," the statement said.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense clarified that this involves the acquisition of Piorun mobile short-range air defense systems, produced by Mesko, a company that is part of Poland's state defense consortium PGZ.

"The planned joint procurement of air defense missile systems will be financed through an EU financial instrument aimed at strengthening the European defense industry through collaborative procurement among EU countries (EDIRPA). Joint arms purchases are very important as they, among other things, facilitate the integration of EU countries, help standardize and economize budget resources, and enhance defense capabilities," the ministry noted.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the European Commission approved funding for a joint arms procurement for EU member states for the first time in history, specifically for missiles and ammunition. Some of these will assist Ukraine.